Just to preface: if you can help it, just don't plan a trip to Palm Springs in the summer. It's muggy and it's sticky, with a dash of heat stroke and a pinch of disorientation. The streets are bare because everyone has fled the 120 degree heat. Not quite Walking-Dead-season-one level abandonment, but close. Despite the heat, however, three PNW pals and myself braved the week and made the most of it. So sit back with a lemonade or a cool drink, and enjoy.

No trip to Palm Springs would be complete without a trip to the Ace Hotel and Swim Club. The grounds were gorgeous, and full of the cutest corners, vibrant walls and eclectic decor. Were we the weirdos that visited for the photo op? Oh yeah. But I mean, come on, how could we not?

The fabulous Kayla at our Airbnb.

Did I mention our AirBnb was great? Because it was. Located near the Palm Springs airport (as in 5 minutes away, YES LAWD), it featured a spacious pool to cool off in, an outdoor shower, and some seriously great home decor (think Mad Men on a modern vacation). And of course, the fridge inside was well-stocked with all the warm-weather vacay essentials: watermelon, avocados, chips, salsa, lemonade and a crisp bottle of rosé. Because when on vacation, one must always say yes to rosé.

Photo by Bryton Wilson

Now onto Joshua Tree! Can you dig it?

As I mentioned, the temps were crazy-high during the week, which meant that all of our ventures out to Joshua Tree were in the late afternoon, leading into the evening. Although this meant that our daylight was limited, I like to think that we were able to witness the most beautiful part of the day. Being from Central Oregon, I've seen my fair share of gorgeous sunsets (Smith Rock, HELLO), but the sunsets here were other worldly. The rocks seemed to change colors as the sun descended (essentially becoming the pink and orange tones of a delicious pint of Dryers sherbet).

And when the sun was completely out of view, an expanse of bright stars stretched across the sky, making the dry landscape glow, with all the animals and insects of the desert cooing us goodnight. So yeah, we were pretty impressed with what we witnessed, because what we saw was a form of real-life magic, the kind you can only find in a place as quiet and serene as Joshua Tree at night.

(Click on the far right side for more images from Joshua Tree!)

Photo by Bryton Wilson

Photo by Kayla Sprint

(That night sky though.)

And of course, we had to end our week in Palm Springs with a visit to the famed Moorten Botanical Gardens, a place that proves that lovely things don't always need to grow in lush, green environments. We met up with a new friend and fellow photographer, Antonyette, and wandered around the gardens.

And that's all for now. Where're your favorite spots to explore in the Palm Springs area? Favorite places to cool off? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for hanging out!